Microsoft announced on Friday the name of its newest version of Windows best known as Longhorn. The new name, Vista, is the official name of Microsoft’s newest operating system, due out in late 2006, probably around the holidays and a server version will be out in 2007.
The beta for Vista will be available in the next week or so according to Microsoft saying it will be available by August 3rd. At this stage, it’s being targets at developers and IT folks to work through. Microsoft will eventually send out a second beta but they’ve mentioned no details on that one yet.
Vista marks the first new version of Windows in 5 years since Windows XP hit the market back in 2001. With Windows on more than 90% of the world computers and making up roughly 30% of Microsoft’s revenue, Windows remains the foundation for the world’s largest software maker.
A couple of significant points to note about the history of Vista/Longhorn. The program was much delayed due to major security issues in the XP platform. Microsoft worked vigorously to correct all those programs but they had to pull most of the Longhorn crew to get it done.
Microsoft said this new version will included stronger tools against viruses and spyware, something much anticipated and certainly long overdue. The new package will also a variety of features geared around search. They’ve announced RSS capabilities and assuming they integrates many of the various search based tool already out, then they should have potent engine for searching just about everything.
There could be trouble in the paradise that is Redmond, Washington however. A company, based in Redmond, founded back in 1999 by well-known tech exec John Wall. Wall’s company, Vista produces business software and services and looks to be perturbed to say the least.
In an article in the Seattle Times, Wall said, “We’re going to consider out options and talk to them.”
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
